I've just come across this thread, I can't believe I haven't seen it before.

Ignoring the tit for tat school room tantrums I've learned are part of this pinball forum (there seems to be nothing people like better than to stoke fuel on a fire), I am really excited to see the chance of another Pin being made.

Thunderbirds was huge in most places in the World, but never really popular in the U.S. But, as has been said by others, even if you don't get the theme, it doesn't preclude the fact that it could be a first class pin. I really hope it is.

I must admit, I was a fan of the show when I was growing up, and without it, all the special effects for movies like the original Bond series etc wouldn't have existed as they came up with the miniaturisation of things for explosions and the like.

I'm really looking forward to this, and hope that this post can end up as ongoing update on how the pin progresses rather than (as I saw the WOZ forum go) a continuing he said I said, my dads bigger than your dad and I'll get you in the playground at lunchtime insult match.

Given the state of what's left of the industry, I suspect there are some spare designers out their who would do it for a quarter of that.

It would be nice if we could get some kind of teaser of what has been thought of so far. This would help make it seem like a reality - which I certainly hope it will be.

Even a computer generated photo mockup would be nice at this stage.

I missed the heading - Talk about anything other than Thunderbirds pin.

I wouldn't want to try to work out what this topic was about based on the content because the chance of a new manufacturer and an exciting new pinball machine would be pretty much my last guess.

I've got to say that, even though I may be alone here, I am really excited about this and am considering getting a deposit down for one of the first 500.

It would be nice to get some idea of game layout to begin with. Also an idea of freight charges, which I expect to be pretty hefty along with import duty of 7 3/4% and Vat of 20%.

I wonder when he's going to release some proper details?

You'll be OK Pop, you won't have to worry about shipping, import duty and Vat.

I've just e-mailed them to ask about several things regarding deposit security, general game design etc.

Shouldn't it be FAB!

Perhaps everyone got it but chose to ignore it.

I sent him an e-mail and asked some questions and also asked for some further details and received a polite detailed and prompt reply. Here's the bit about the details.

"Under the terms of my licence agreement I am not permitted to release any information about art packages including playfield design (other than a broad generalisation). I am working on various parts being approved for public release but I can't make any assumptions about what might or might not be approved for release by the licensor."

Do you have some details of this blue95? I'd be interested to know.

Wow, that does look grandiose. Surely to much office and not enough work floor for a pinball factory?

I'm really looking forward to it. Love the theme and any new Pinball stands as big a chance of being great as any other.

I'm guessing a lot of people on here have never been to China. I've been a couple of times for various reasons, and it is an amazing place with a quite incredible people. Whether you agree with their politics is a completely different issue, but the fact remains that some of the factories they have there are top notch and ultra modern. Most people referring to Chinese made rubbish are talking about the very low end items which they make because no one else can afford to make them that cheap. They have the people for that, and I'm not talking about slave labour. That particular issue is not endemic to China. The UK only has to look at the Polish people it employs and the U.S. the Mexicans. However, they also now make very high quality items produced to worldwide specifications. Half of the things you probably see as being made in the U.S (or Europe, I'm picking on no one here before you all start getting upset) feature things made in China to a fine quality, but assembled in your/my country and then labeled as made in UK/U.S.A/Where ever else.

Don't fool yourself that because he's having it made there it will be rubbish. Thirty years ago everyone referred to things made in Japan as Jap Crap. Now many Japanese items are the epitome of high quality.

How about everyone stop bashing what they can't possibly know about at this stage, and let's see what happens.
And really, let the other stuff drop. What's gone is gone and what was said was said. No one died!

If he ends up making something rubbish, I'm pretty sure you'll all have the opportunity to chip in later. In the mean time, let's just wait and see. You never know.

You really didn't even bother to understand my post. I have been to China for over two months. I've visited twelve cities. I've been to the factories, I've seen the working conditions. Sure, I haven't seen them all and I have seen some rough stuff, but I'm guessing you haven't seen any in person other than those you've watched on TV.

If you want to make life better for them out there because you care about their welfare, I would suggest making comments not based on what you've actually seen is not going to help. What would help would be insisting what you buy comes from a place that supports its workers. Something I'm sure you check up on on every other product you buy everyday.

Once you tell me you've done all of this, which I have, then call me a slavemaster if you still believe it fits. Until then I would ask you to show some respect when making personal comments about someone you have no knowledge of what so ever. I won't make offensive assumptions about you, kindly don't make them about me.

Once again you show you ignorance. You have no idea why I went, what I did when I was there, yet you seem to think you know it all. How can you possibly know who assembles what on anything I have done there, if indeed I do in the first place. There can be no conversation with a man who speaks from behind a blindfold. The - I don't have to see a forced abortion to know I don't like it - speech is frankly offensive.

I'm up for this if I get to visit again. Perhaps I can get one back in my hand baggage.

Do you have a semi realistic release date in mind yet and whilst I realise releasing details is an issue, there must at some point be a time when you can let those of us that are interested have some more details about the game. After all, we are doing our best to get excited about the prospect, so you can't blame us for wanting something to get excited about.

You know, with a few people as an exception, Pinside can be a great resource for you. Most of the people are friendly, intelligent and want nothing more than to promote the hobby they love. Sure everyone wants a game based around a subject they love (and for a lot of us Thunderbirds fits that theme nicely), but also they'd respect any game that was good, no matter what it was based on.

You could pose the question of what people might like to see on the game. You don't have to use it, but it might give you a valuable insight even if your design is already finalised. (although I'm sure it's never to late to adjust something that looks really good). This on it's own would also give prospective purchasers something to get excited about.

I for one certainly would want to see a series of six lights (Five, Four, Three, Two, One, TB are Go) which you light up one by one as you complete some of the game features. Being able to select a game feature by choosing the TB2 pod on the DMD would also be very cool (not unlike selecting a mission on STTNG).

We all (OK, with a tiny exception) want you to succeed. Worth a go maybe?